[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H77-H82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE 
  FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION RELATING TO ``WAIVER OF BUY AMERICA 
              REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS''

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 
947, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 38) providing for 
congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States 
Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration 
relating to ``Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle 
Chargers,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 947, the joint 
resolution is considered read.
  The text of the joint resolution is as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 38

       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress 
     disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Highway 
     Administration relating to ``Waiver of Buy America 
     Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers'' (88 Fed. Reg. 
     10619 (February 21, 2023)), and such rule shall have no force 
     or effect.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The joint resolution shall be debatable for 
1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
or their respective designees.

[[Page H78]]

  The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), and the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Larsen), each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on S.J. Res. 38.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge support for S.J. Res. 38, which was 
introduced by Senator Rubio of Florida under the Congressional Review 
Act, which would invalidate the Federal Highway Administration's waiver 
of Buy America requirements for electric vehicle chargers.
  The joint resolution is intended to ensure our Federal dollars 
support American-made products rather than products from foreign 
competitors like China.
  In November of 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program 
and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, funding 
these programs at $5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively.
  The Federal Highway Administration was quick to move a waiver of Buy 
America requirements for EV chargers to help achieve the Biden 
administration's very progressive policy agenda, citing a public 
interest need.
  There is no public interest need here, Mr. Speaker. Rather, there is 
just a desire for the administration to continue to push its woke 
agenda without fully considering the far-reaching ramifications.
  It is not better for the climate as China is the number one emitter 
of greenhouse gas emissions around the world, and it is certainly not 
better for American competitiveness or security as China has already 
demonstrated it will utilize infrastructure footholds as it did with 
telecommunications and Huawei to undermine America's national security.
  Simply put, a waiver undercuts domestic investments and risks 
empowering foreign nations. If the administration is going to continue 
to push for a massive transition to EVs, it should ensure and comply 
with the Buy America requirements.
  This joint resolution received bipartisan support in the Senate, 
underscoring the support of Congress for ensuring that these dollars 
aren't funneled to China.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the joint resolution, I and reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise in opposition to this resolution. On the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee, we know that investing in infrastructure 
means jobs for American workers and economic growth.
  Our goal is for taxpayer dollars to deliver returns at home, not just 
for those who travel on the roads and bridges but for the women and men 
who build our highway infrastructure.
  The Biden administration shares that goal and has made Buy America 
one of the centerpieces of its infrastructure policy as we build out 
modern transportation systems that are cleaner, greener, safer, and 
more accessible.
  There is strong bipartisan support in Congress for strengthening Buy 
America, rebuilding the U.S. industrial base, and creating jobs.
  We saw the result of this broad support with the passage of the 
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL, which included a new domestic 
content requirement for all Federal infrastructure spending.
  Congress should be focused on supporting implementation of these new 
Buy America and domestic content requirements so we can maximize the 
return of our infrastructure investments and support job creation.
  Instead, we are here today debating a resolution that would undercut 
the BIL and the administration's aim to bolster a domestic EV charger 
supply chain.
  Federal highway and transit programs have had Buy America standards 
for decades. These standards have insured that any investment in U.S. 
infrastructure is also an investment in U.S. workers.
  Since 1983, all manufactured products have been exempted from Buy 
America under the Federal highway programs.
  Under this policy, EV chargers funded by the Federal Highway 
Administration would not have been required to be built in the U.S.
  Further, there would have been no requirements for those chargers to 
include any domestic content beyond the iron and steel components.
  If this policy had been applied to the $7.5 billion for EV charging 
included in the BIL, we would have supported jobs overseas instead of 
jobs for U.S. workers. The Biden administration took action to make 
sure that would not happen.
  First, it deemed that the general manufactured products Buy America 
waiver would no longer apply to EV chargers.
  Further, the administration created a new, stronger standard for 
domestic content in EV chargers. Under the new policy, and for the 
first time, all federally funded EV chargers must be manufactured in 
the U.S.
  The new policy also includes domestic content requirements for all 
components, not just those made of iron and steel.
  The domestic content requirements ramp up over time to allow 
manufacturers to expand their capacity in the U.S.
  The policy is working. Since 2021, private companies have announced 
$500 million in investments across the country in EV charging 
manufacturing facilities, according to the Department of Energy. The 
investment is creating jobs in an emerging and growing industry.

  This is exactly how Buy America policies are supposed to work. You 
cannot change course overnight on a 40-year-old policy. You need to 
give time to the private sector to prepare.
  That is exactly what the administration is doing. Beginning on July 1 
of this year, all federally funded EV chargers will be assembled in the 
U.S. and will have at least a 55 percent U.S. content--consistent with 
the Build America Buy America policy included in the BIL.
  This approach is a win for U.S. workers, the private sector, and all 
Americans will benefit from a more sustainable transportation system.
  While this new standard is technically called a waiver, it meets the 
industry's current needs with greater precision and has a much stronger 
Buy America policy than the broad waiver it replaces.
  Unfortunately, this resolution before us today would erase that 
progress. If we repeal the new Biden administration approach, EV 
chargers would once again fall under the broad general manufactured 
products exemption from Buy America.
  We would lose the requirement that all federally funded EV chargers 
be built in the U.S., we would lose the domestic content requirements 
for components not made from iron and steel, and we would create 
uncertainty for the private sector who have based their investments and 
job creation on the new Buy America standards.
  Many Members of Congress share the same goal of the strong Buy 
America standards. Repealing a Buy America waiver may sound great, but 
this resolution would actually weaken Buy America.
  Some may argue the Biden administration could just repeal the general 
manufactured products waiver. In fact, the administration is in the 
process of reconsidering that waiver as we are required under the BIL.
  It is a complex process to reconsider a 40-year-old policy that 
applies to hundreds of products ranging from traffic cameras to the 
changeable message signs that we see every day on our highways.
  That process is going to take time to get it right and should not be 
used as a rationale for weakening Buy America standards that exist 
today.
  The reality is that this resolution would weaken Buy America at a 
time when we are making record investments in EV chargers.
  In fact, this week I expect the Federal Highway Administration to 
announce hundreds of millions of dollars

[[Page H79]]

in funding to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle 
charging infrastructure in communities and along vital travel 
corridors.
  EV charging investment is already paying dividends for communities 
and creating jobs. After launching the first federally funded EV 
charging station, Mike DeWine, the Governor of Ohio, said electric 
vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio 
to have access to this technology today.
  This resolution before us today would slow down similar investments 
across the U.S. and create incoherent industrial policy.
  It is not just my opinion. This resolution is opposed by the women 
and men of the United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, the United Auto 
Workers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers--those 
whose jobs will actually be affected by this policy.
  The United Steelworkers said this resolution is shortsighted and 
misguided and would undercut American manufacturing, both near and long 
term.
  The resolution is also opposed by the Zero Emission Transportation 
Association and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association whose 
members include EV charger and component manufacturers.
  In a letter of opposition, these associations said that if this 
resolution were enacted, it would cause major disruption of major 
infrastructure projects across the country.
  We know infrastructure investment creates family-wage jobs for U.S. 
workers. The Biden administration's approach to Buy America delivers on 
that promise.
  I urge my colleagues to support Buy America and to reject this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams), the chairman of the Small Business 
Committee.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in full disclosure to everybody 
here, I am a car dealer, and I rise today in opposition to the rule 
submitted by the Federal Highway Administration that waives the Buy 
America requirements for electric vehicle chargers built in the U.S.
  This allows for federally funded electric charging stations to be 
built in the U.S. without the use of American steel, iron, manufactured 
products, and construction materials, ultimately sending billions of 
taxpayer dollars to China.
  The $7.5 billion investment builds on Biden's mission to force his 
inefficient, expensive, and unreliable green energy agenda onto the 
American people.
  Now, I can tell you exactly what a government charging station is 
going to look like. It is going to have graffiti on it after the first 
week; it is going to be broken, and it will never be fixed. That is 
what it is going to look like.
  Instead, we should allow competition, not government, to drive 
innovation. Let the private sector decide when and how much to invest 
in the charging infrastructure.
  When taxpayer dollars are spent, they should be used to invest in 
American businesses and quality manufacturing, not to line the pockets 
of the CCP.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the CRA and stop the Biden 
administration's America last, China first policies. In God we trust.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone).

  Mr. TRONE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 38 
and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  For months, my colleagues across the aisle have strongly opposed 
efforts to support clean energy jobs, fight climate change, and deliver 
investments in our future.
  The proposed legislation is no different. This resolution undermines 
efforts to expand our Nation's electric grid by weakening Buy America 
requirements and reverting back to outdated manufacturing guidelines of 
1983--40 years ago.
  This will allow taxpayer dollars--including $7.5 billion for the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act--to be spent in competitor 
nations like China instead of right here in the U.S. by American 
workers.
  This legislation will harm American manufacturing jobs and 
communities and worsen our country's reliance on foreign supply chains.
  Currently, 44 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. are dedicated to 
making EV charger components, amounting to a combined investment of 
$313 million and approximately 6,000 manufacturing jobs. We must let 
American innovation and technology protect good-paying jobs.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I guess the question here is: Yes, is it 
going to be buy American or not?
  Now, these components we are talking about are, indeed, being force-
fed upon the public with the whole big push for electrifying vehicles.
  As we are seeing, the market has softened dramatically since the 
additional influx of electric vehicles has been pushed forward.
  We are seeing them sitting on dealers' lots, so chargers probably 
still need to be made to catch up, to a certain point.
  We don't need to be in such a giant hurry that we have to instead 
send all this business to the manufacturing leaders in China. Let's let 
Americans catch up to this.
  Indeed, since we are going to spend the money that is in the trough 
anyway from the measure I did not vote for--that many of us did not 
vote for--at least spend it on American jobs and keep the spirit of 
producing electric vehicle chargers in the United States.
  We can catch up and we will catch up, especially if these artificial 
mandates to force electric cars are relaxed somewhat.

                              {time}  1515

  Now, we see the Biden administration setting the goal of half a 
million chargers by the year 2030--and they say that their goal has 
been met so far--but a recent article says that they have only built 
one charger under this program in the last 2 years. There is a long way 
to go to get to half a million.
  Instead of realizing that the goals are unworkable and let the rules 
be what they have been on keeping Buy America, Make It In America as 
the priority, they are force-feeding something in such a hurry that 
hasn't been thought out for a market that is dramatically softening 
after the initial wave of electric vehicles.
  Instead, let Americans work and not favor the Chinese Communist Party 
and their workers.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, sometimes it is a mistake to listen to 
each other, and perhaps that is where we are right now.
  I am hearing Mr. Larsen present the legislation, which actually would 
repeal the Make It In America provisions into the future. I hear Mr. 
Larsen talk about how the President's rule would actually waive the Buy 
America requirements that we put into the bipartisan infrastructure 
bill until July 1, 2024--5 months from now. That waiver is for 5 months 
going forward, at which time the Buy America rules that we put into the 
law are back in effect.
  I hear my colleagues who are proposing this CR say something quite 
different, that somehow this CR would reestablish the Buy America 
provisions. Unfortunately, it doesn't. It is just the opposite. It 
would eliminate going on beyond July 1 the requirement to Buy America.
  Maybe I am confused. I think not.
  I do know that in our T&I Committee we spent a lot of time on Buy 
America, but the CR not only eliminates the current Federal regulation 
that delays until July 1 the implementation of the Buy America 
requirements; it goes beyond that. It also reinstates another 
provision, that is a 1983 waiver of the Buy America requirements.
  So if indeed we want to help American industry, if we want to help 
American labor, and if we want to really build out the infrastructure 
necessary for electric vehicles, then we are going to need to have 
those charging stations. Those charging stations can be made in America 
if we stay with the current regulations that the administration has put 
forward, which only extends the Buy America waiver to July 1, 2024.

[[Page H80]]

  If I am wrong, I am wrong; it is not the first time in my life. Read 
carefully what we are doing here. It is not just taking on the Biden 
administration, which is great fun for some, it is really about are we 
going to have Make It In America requirements or not.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
  Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this 
time. I rise in favor of S.J. Res. 38 to rescind the Biden 
administration's careless rule, which waives Buy America requirements 
for federally funded EV charging infrastructure projects.
  Instead of abandoning this crackpot environmental project that has 
wasted billions of taxpayer dollars with no tangible benefit, the Biden 
administration is now doubling down, waiving the Buy America 
requirements in a desperate attempt to save the floundering EV 
industry.
  Under this change, hard-earned taxpayer dollars will not only be 
wasted on useless charging infrastructure; no, now these funds will be 
squandered on useless charging infrastructure produced from foreign 
materials. Meanwhile, China continues to maintain an outsized hold on 
EV manufacturing and the critical materials required to construct them.
  In other words, rather than invest in domestic energy resources and 
infrastructure, the Biden administration will prop up a failed industry 
whose entire existence is dependent upon government subsidies while 
increasing our reliance on China and other adversarial nations.
  These actions will force millions of more Americans into a state of 
energy poverty and undermine American sovereignty all to kowtow before 
the climate gods.
  Mr. Speaker, we must resist the Biden administration's forceful 
attempts to transition us to an electric future, whatever that means, 
while also advocating for solutions that empower America to restore its 
energy and manufacturing independence.
  It is for these reasons that I sought to defund one of these useless 
EV programs through an amendment amid our appropriations process.
  The fact is that this rule is wrongheaded at the wrong time and 
should not be implemented. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley).
  Ms. BROWNLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to this 
resolution. This resolution is nothing more than a stunt to obstruct 
the progress and the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  Since the passage of this historic, once-in-a-generation investment 
in our Nation's infrastructure, we have seen strong economic growth and 
the creation of over 7 million good-paying American jobs.
  The investments in this transformative legislation are reaching 
communities across our country, including communities in my district in 
Ventura County in California.
  This week, the Biden administration announced the award of $12 
million for the construction of countywide electric vehicle charging 
centers, off-grid EV charging, and solar battery storage, as well as 
fast-charging ports.
  As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
I have seen firsthand the critical need to not only complete long 
overdue repairs to our Nation's infrastructure, but I have also seen 
the need to invest in clean energy and alternative fueling 
infrastructure in our country.
  It takes bold action to tackle the climate crisis and reduce our 
carbon footprint, and the bipartisan infrastructure law does just that. 
The law is working to help communities plan their growth, connect our 
cities, and significantly improve safety along our roads, bridges, and 
rail systems. The law is working to grow our local, regional, and 
national economy. The law is working to accelerate the Biden 
administration's efforts to grow our Nation's middle class from the 
bottom up and the middle out.
  Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that the Bipartisan Infrastructure 
Law is working for the American people, and this resolution is both bad 
for innovation, bad for job creation, and bad for America. That is why 
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``no.''
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).
  Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, since President Biden took office, he has not 
only waged a full-scale assault on American energy production but also 
on widely used gas-powered automobiles in order to cater to electric 
vehicles.
  Despite EVs accounting for only 14 percent of all vehicles sold in 
2022, this administration is proceeding forward with its goal to 
install 500,000 EV chargers by 2030.
  While I oppose the continued push toward electrification, especially 
when America's baseload power is unable to keep pace with current 
demands, I was at least pleased that Congress put in place requirements 
for the IIJA that we ``Buy American.''
  However, even this is now being ignored. The Federal Highway 
Administration is attempting to issue new waivers to bypass the 
mandate.
  Instead of upholding the safeguards that are critical to protect 
taxpayer dollars, the administration decided to increase our country's 
reliance on bad actors like China, who already control the EV sector.
  Communities are already struggling with electric transformer 
shortages. Our grid is in need of major upgrades, and the last thing we 
should do is empower our adversaries by issuing these waivers to build 
charging stations for vehicles whose battery components primarily come 
from China.
  I find it incredible that President Biden, who pushed so hard for 
this legislation, now wants to completely ignore a key provision that 
was added to safeguard our Nation from China and protect American jobs.
  This is wrong.
  I call upon the Federal Highway Administration to rescind this 
onerous rule, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution of 
disapproval.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, this pointless resolution would not only 
harm the advancement of EVs in the United States, but it would also 
allow more work to be offshored to other countries. I strongly oppose 
this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Among its many historic firsts, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 
invested $7.5 billion in EV charging infrastructure through the 
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. I am proud of the 
work that we did on this landmark funding that stems from a bill that I 
introduced, the Clean Corridors Act, that was incorporated into the 
infrastructure bill. It is already helping create a network of EV 
chargers to help with the implementation of alternative fuels and the 
dynamic investment in electric vehicles and hydrogen-fueled cars.
  On a side note, one of the grants was included in the district I 
represent between the local library district and the Federal Government 
to install chargers at public libraries.
  Unfortunately, the resolution we are considering today would remove 
certainty from EV charger construction and put good-paying jobs here in 
the U.S. at risk in the long-term and in the short-term. The lack of 
certainty would also further delay construction deployment and hinder 
consumers' use of EVs.
  With the transportation sector making up almost 30 percent of the 
country's greenhouse gas emissions, we must continue to do everything 
we can to transition to cleaner fuels and provide certainty for the 
industry to help combat climate change. We need available, reliable EV 
chargers to make that a reality considering the global implications.
  I strongly oppose this bill and the partisan efforts to thwart EV 
deployment.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller).
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. 
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution.
  Congress has the power to invalidate this bureaucratic rule that, 
simply put, would, once again, sell out the greatest strength of the 
American economy--our American workers.

[[Page H81]]

  The Build America, Buy America Act was bipartisan legislation that 
was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
  We must ensure that any infrastructure projects across America uses 
American-made and sourced products when they are available.
  When the government spends American taxpayer money on an 
infrastructure project, it is common sense that the materials used in 
the project should be made in America.
  We have the world's best workers making the best materials we need 
right here at home. This administration's radical push to end consumer 
choice and force electric vehicles upon us is completely wrong.
  When Chinese- or Russian-made products and materials are used instead 
of those from America, it steals jobs from U.S. workers. This 
administration cannot be allowed to enable brutal dictators and thugs 
on the backs of American workers.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support opposition of this radical 
rule from the Biden administration and support the American worker by 
voting for this resolution.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. McClellan).
  Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S.J. Res. 
38, which undermines the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to 
supercharge our transition to a clean-energy future and deploy more 
sustainable technologies.
  With this resolution, extreme House Republicans are actively trying 
to hamper the progress made through the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. They are threatening the 
burgeoning electric vehicle industry and harming our communities, our 
economy, and our planet.
  It is clear we are in an infrastructure decade thanks to these 
transformative investments, yet House Republicans would rather try to 
undermine these efforts than acknowledge the clear benefits for 
communities across the Nation.
  In fact, thanks to the IIAJ, Henrico County, in my district, will 
receive over $1.4 million to build 38 EV charging ports at 7 publicly 
accessible facilities throughout the community. Similar awards are 
going out to localities across the Nation.
  House Republicans' solution would impede the growth of our EV 
industry across the country at a time when we must do more to address 
the climate crisis and as more Americans are switching to electric 
vehicles.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
important Congressional Review Act resolution, which prevents the Biden 
administration from lining the Chinese Communist Party's pockets in an 
effort to further its rush-to-green agenda.
  Last Congress, my colleagues across the aisle and the Biden 
administration forced through massive spending packages with billions 
and billions of dollars for their Green New Deal agenda. In fact, the 
IIJA included $7.5 billion for EV charging grant programs.
  One of my colleagues' biggest arguments in support of their massive 
spending packages was that it was all in the name of bringing 
businesses and manufacturing back to America. How does waiving the Buy 
America requirement help American manufacturing? I will tell you that 
it doesn't. It benefits Chinese producers with lower wage and 
environmental standards and can undercut American industry.
  China may be producing so-called clean energy technologies like EVs 
and solar panels, but it is being done with an engineering portfolio 
that increases emissions.
  Forcing Americans into EVs as fast as possible is not going to reduce 
global emissions when the planet's largest emitters are enabled by our 
demand.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this measure.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington, 
the ranking member, for his leadership.
  There is more work to be done, and I am glad our previous speaker, my 
colleague and friend from California, made it clear that this is for 5 
months.
  This is about getting more jobs and getting them done now. This is to 
emphasize that this new emphasis on EV infrastructure is going to help 
each and every one of my colleagues.
  I am rising because I am so proud of the State of Texas. It is one of 
the few States that has announced American-made EV charger investments 
as of September 2023. We are already out front in the State of Texas, 
which is not often known for moving fast on these kinds of 
environmentally focused efforts. I thank Texas.
  It is because of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, United 
Steelworkers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United 
Auto Workers, Siemens, and Alliance for American Manufacturing working 
together for these EV chargers to make sure that we will have the 
waiver for only 5 months. Then, all the chargers will be required to 
contain 55 percent domestic content on the cost of components.
  The infrastructure in which EV chargers are housed is predominantly 
steel and iron, which are excluded from this waiver now.
  The explanation is that this is to do better, to help America do 
better, and to get us ready for July 2024, to help more States have EV 
investments that create jobs, move us into a new level of technology, 
and provide the opportunity for more science-based mobility, 
transportation that is safe, that is clean, and that is job-creating.
  What more can we want?
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this legislation because I want more 
jobs and a safer environment.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Flood).
  Mr. FLOOD. Mr. Speaker, time and time again, we see President Biden 
picking winners and losers in the marketplace to force a radical 
climate agenda on the American people.
  In his 2020 campaign, President Biden claimed a Buy America policy. 
The first year of his Presidency included lots of posturing on the 
virtues of American-made products, yet when push comes to shove, the 
President has made it clear that if given a choice between buying 
American and pushing an activist climate agenda fueled by EV batteries 
made in China, he sides with the woke environmentalists over American 
workers.
  If the Biden administration is going to distort the energy market 
with its Green New Deal and all of its subsidies, one would hope that 
they would at least fund the products made here in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution to stop the Biden 
administration from crippling not only our domestic energy production 
but also our American manufacturing economy.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
  Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, let's make one thing perfectly clear: The 
Biden administration is building their so-called green energy on the 
backs of children, on poor individuals enslaved by Communist China.
  I wonder what it must be like for the Biden administration to sit in 
ivory towers and drive their electric vehicles and pretend to be doing 
something positive for the environment.
  As long as I am here in Congress, I will expose the truth. The Biden 
administration finds it to be perfectly acceptable to use child slave 
labor in foreign lands to meet their insincere and deceptive green 
agenda, forcing children, under horrific conditions, to dig up, often 
with their bare hands, the minerals that they need in their EV charging 
stations. It is immoral, it is unethical, and it is wrong.
  The rule to waive the Buy America requirement for electric vehicle 
chargers is just the latest in this administration's efforts to 
eliminate good-paying union jobs for American workers and instead 
offshore cheap slave labor in foreign countries with zero environmental 
standards.
  For the Biden administration, when overseas, it is out of sight, out 
of mind.

[[Page H82]]

The Biden administration continues to have their agenda on mining and 
energy anywhere but America, any worker but American.
  I ask my colleagues not to turn a blind eye. We need to mine here and 
buy American. The reason the Biden administration wants to waive the 
Buy America requirement is because they refuse to allow domestic mining 
to happen.
  Mr. Speaker, I live in a district where the biggest copper-nickel 
mine in the world is, and this administration pulled the mining leases 
for purely political reasons. They won't let us mine in Minnesota, 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Texas, New 
Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and so many other States. They are 
okay with using child slave labor in Congo, where 15 of the 19 mines 
are owned by the Communist country of China.
  The Biden administration continues to assault the American worker. We 
must not let that happen.
  Mr. Speaker, when the infrastructure law passed, we supported Build 
America, Buy America. This is a slap in the face when Joe Biden wants 
us now to waive the requirement. It is unacceptable. Buy America, mine 
here in America, period.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce).
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  President Biden's attempt to block the sale of gas-powered vehicles 
and mandate electric vehicles in the next decade would have disastrous 
consequences for American families, American businesses, and the 
American economy.
  In its quest to implement Green New Deal initiatives, President Biden 
and his administration are using American taxpayer dollars to buy 
electric vehicle charging stations from the Chinese Communist Party.
  Let me say that again. Biden and his administration are using 
American taxpayer dollars to buy electric vehicle charging stations 
from the Chinese Communist Party. They are sending taxpayer dollars to 
China.
  President Biden's attempt to dodge the bipartisan Buy America rule is 
a realization that his electric vehicle policies are impractical and 
irresponsible.
  Come on. Americans aren't fooled. An electric vehicle with a Chinese 
battery is a Chinese car.
  Last year, this House passed my legislation, the Preserving Choice in 
Vehicle Purchases Act, with a bipartisan majority. This body has 
recognized that electric vehicles are unable to sustain our economy and 
unable to sustain the American Dream.
  It is critical that we speak with one voice and pass this legislation 
to stop the Biden administration from sending American taxpayer dollars 
to companies run by the Chinese Communist Party.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much 
time is remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Washington has 12\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to close by first going 
back to a point someone made by starting their comment with saying, 
``since the Biden administration has come in.'' I want to quickly make 
some points on that.
  Since the Biden administration has come in, unemployment has dropped 
precipitously. We have seen continued economic growth in the United 
States. Manufacturing jobs have increased.

  We have passed legislation to bring $35 copays for Medicare enrollees 
and have seen the private sector now adopt $35 copays for their 
enrollees for diabetes medications.
  Since the Biden administration has come in, we have passed the PACT 
Act to support veterans needing healthcare.
  Since the Biden administration has come in, although there is still 
work to do, I recognize inflation has dropped 65 percent.
  There are a lot of things that have happened during the Biden 
administration, including the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure 
law, which today is putting women and men to work around the country 
building next-generation infrastructure, next-generation bridges, 
roads, and highways and next-generation transit systems, spreading 
broadband around the country and closing the digital divide in so many 
communities, as well as supporting the adoption of electric vehicle use 
around the country.
  It was noted that 14 percent of vehicles sold last year were electric 
vehicles. I didn't know it was that high. I thought it was a little 
lower than that. I am glad it is that high. It shows an increasing 
adoption of electric vehicles in the United States.
  To support that, the administration, through the BIL, is now 
beginning to implement the distribution and deployment of federally 
funded electric vehicles to complement what is already being done in 
many States around the country supporting electric vehicle deployment, 
including in my district.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. The city of Mount Vernon has received a 
grant to put in electric vehicle charging stations at their new Library 
Commons project, a project I supported and will continue to support, so 
we need to break the EV bond that the United States has with China and 
start by rejecting this resolution, because, when we buy America, we 
are going to say good-bye to our bond with China.
  I would ask my colleagues, all Members, to reject S.J. Res. 38, to 
support this waiver, to give our private sector the time to develop 
what it needs to do to support the broader economy in the United States 
and the broader future of American transportation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, passing S.J. Res. 38 is important. If the Biden 
administration continues to push its aggressive agenda on American 
families and consumers, at a minimum, they should have to comply with 
the Buy America requirements, at a minimum.
  In 2021, despite Congress expanding Buy America requirements in IIJA 
to ensure our Nation's infrastructure comes from and is built by 
American companies, the administration is all too willing to issue a 
waiver of Buy America requirements for EV chargers in pursuit of its 
EV-for-all pipe dream. A Buy America waiver undermines domestic 
investments, and it risks empowering foreign adversaries like China.
  We should not funnel taxpayer dollars to China in order to achieve 
this administration's unrealistic EV goals, which families and 
businesses have signaled that they are not ready for.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this joint resolution, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the joint 
resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the third reading of the 
joint resolution.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on passage of the joint 
resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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